EFNL 2025: Berwick upsets Rowville for first win of Premier Division season

It was arguably the Wickers’ biggest scalp in their time in the Eastern league, as the young and enthusiastic Premier Division outfit knocked over one of the comp’s powers for its first win.

EFNL 2025: Berwick sings the song to a packed rooms after defeating Rowville.

It was standing-room only in the sheds as Berwick belted out the song to toast arguably its biggest scalp in the Eastern league yet.

The Wickers pulled off an almighty 7.11 (53) to 5.12 (42) upset of top-division powerhouse Rowville to break through for their first win of the season on Saturday.

A blustery Edwin Flack Reserve pulsated as the club’s 2015 premiership team reunited to watch the next generation take a significant leap.

“It was a pretty special day for the footy club … it was a relief, but it was also reward for effort,” Berwick senior coach Andrew Williams said.

“We’ve been pretty consistent but just come up a bit short in the first five games.

“It’s a massive win for the club. Hopefully we can get some momentum going now.”

Edged by a point to Vermont the previous round, Berwick had also fallen agonisingly short of Noble Park (14 points), East Ringwood and Balwyn (20 points).

Last week, Vermont coach Matt Adolph declared of the Wickers: “Probably some sides underestimate how good Berwick are … they’re not far away from getting a scalp for sure.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Williams, too, held firm belief.

“We’ve certainly got the talent to match it, I suppose it comes down to how well we execute on the day and handle the pressure of class opposition sides,” he said.

With the scores locked at 28 apiece at the half – and kicking against the wind in the final quarter and clinging to a seven-point lead – Williams implored one last effort from his players.

He got it, as they withstood the Hawks’ charge at victory.

“They put the first couple (of goals) on us, and we thought it might be tough to get our noses in front, but we did really well and closed the game out,” Williams said, whose side outscored Rowville 4.1 to 3.3 in the last term.

“It was quite a physical game and we tried to slow Rowville down as best we could because we know how well they can run the ball and how good they are at offence.

“It was certainly a relief after the game, that’s for sure.”

Defender Blake Westra finished best afield for the Wickers.

“He’s improved so much from the start of the year to now, he’s going for his grabs, he stood up really tall and I’m enjoying watching him grow into a really good player in this competition,” Williams said.

Meanwhile, midfield bull Ashton Williamson was also prominent, alongside Jesse Cirulis, Noah Cannon, Caydn Lane (two goals) and Kane Hurst.

“(Williamson) is a contested beast and he’s taken his game to another level with the way he fights around the footy … he’s really valuable for us in the clinches,” Williams said.

A rock star reception welcomed the players into the rooms following the match – with the 11-point boilover meaning plenty to Berwick’s most rusted-on faithful after the club narrowly avoided relegation last season.

“It was a little bit overwhelming how much support was in the room, it was a room full of the premiership reunion there in full swing, and their support during the day was massive,” Williams said.

“It was a lot of joy for a lot of people who’ve seen some down times in the last few years.”

Berwick is away to South Croydon in Round 7.